Audi went all-in on aluminum with the first-generation A8 that arrived here for 1997. It must have had a crystal ball: Now that all automakers are looking to meet aggressive CAFE targets through, among other things, the shedding of pounds, Audi’s bet on aluminum seems prescient. This head start with the most abundant metal in the earth’s crust means the third-generation A8 is a paragon of mass management, lightweight manufacturing, and big-car fuel efficiency. But it also represents the best the brand has to offer in terms of executive-class luxury, performance, and technology. READ MORE ››

New automotive technology usually debuts on an expensive flagship model, then passes down to lowlier members of the lineup as costs spread over greater volumes. But the trickle-down effect is not always consistent or predictable. Here we track stability control—mandated as standard equipment on all 2012 model-year vehicles sold in the U.S., but commonplace for a decade—and other safety features from their debuts in high-end luxury models to their arrival in everyday cars. How everyday? Our definition: those available at or below $30,282, the current average new-car transaction price.

Forget both the snoozer STS and the phlegmatic DTS, as the XTS sits atop the Cadillac lineup as the brand’s new flagship. (Well, at least until the Mercedes S-class-targeting, über-luxury rear-drive sedan based on the upcoming Omega platform arrives a few years down the road.) Sporting the latest interpretation of Cadillac’s Art and Science design theme, the XTS looks like a CTS in a Big & Tall suit. READ MORE ››

A previous-gen Honda Accord fitted with Precision All-Wheel Steer, which we'll see in the 2014 Acura RLX

We have a pretty good idea what the new Acura RLX looks like based on the concept shown at this year’s New York auto show. And now we’ve test-driven both versions of the RLX’s powertrain at Honda’s Tochigi, Japan, proving grounds. Our test cars were previous-generation Accords equipped with RLX running gear. READ MORE ››

Our recent visit to Honda’s Tochigi, Japan, proving grounds wasn’t just about future powertrains. The automaker also showed us some of the advanced technology that’s in the pipeline. Three stood out in particular: Autonomous Emergency Brake, Intelligent Advanced Cruise Control, and Green Wave. All three will see implementation in the next five to ten years. READ MORE ››

Brother, can you spare $26,350? That figure—$85 more than a shiny, new Subaru BRZ—represents the premium required to secure a power-retractable hardtop McLaren MP4-12C Spider rather than a fixed-roof coupe. But beyond tearing the roof off the sucker, McLaren worked in a few other updates for all 2013 models that give the dashing supercar more character.